Melissa POV
I was consumed by thoughts of what the elders had shared with me. The demise of my parents wasn't an accident. There was only one person I could ask for more information, and that someone was Lucas. He was the one who understood more about my parents than anyone else, and he had always supported me. He was reclining against a tree on the forest's edge when I discovered him, his expression thoughtful. He gave me a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as I approached. "Melissa," he whispered as he moved in closer. "What is happening? You observe... concerned. I bit my lip, not knowing where to begin. I have a question for you, Lucas. It concerns my parents. Lucas's eyebrows immediately furrowed as his expression shifted. "Your folks? Why this time?" "I learned something from the elders... something that is illogical. They claimed that my parents were embroiled in a risky situation. Are you familiar with that?" Lucas paused, glancing at the floor before responding. "Young Melissa, your folks were... intricate. Although they were decent people, they became entangled in matters that went beyond simple pack politics. I felt my heart rate increase as I moved in closer. "What are you trying to say? What activities did they engage in?" He raised his head, sorrow in his eyes. Rumors abounded. Some claimed they belonged to an old group that was attempting to defend a significant object. Others claimed to be aware of danger-posing mysteries concerning the Moonvalley and Storm Packs. I blinked as his words began to register. "Cryptos? Like what?" "I'm not entirely sure. However, he looked away and said, "But whatever it was, it was dangerous enough to get them killed." "I attempted to be impartial, but... I wished I had had more time. I felt a knot in my gut start to grow as I swallowed hard. Why didn't you ever tell me this, Lucas?" Gently, extending his hand to grasp mine, he whispered, "I didn't want to hurt you." Melissa, you've always been important to me. You are aware of that. I gave him a tight embrace, feeling the comfort, yet my thoughts were racing. My parents had been involved in a risky situation that might still have an impact on me. I was suddenly trapped during it all. Later that day, my mind was racing as I strolled close to the training fields. It was then that I noticed him, Damon. I could tell he had been waiting for me as his black eyes met mine. "Melissa," he began in a quiet, serious voice as he drew near. "We must have a conversation." Curious but also cautious, I crossed my arms. "Damon, what do you want?" Leaning closer, he looked around to make sure no one was listening. I'm aware that you're trying to find information about your parents. However, more significant activity is taking place here. I scowled. Greater? What topic are you discussing?" "Raven," he stated frankly. Dennis is blind to the fact that he is becoming more and more strong every day. Raven is a power-hungry person who uses Dennis to further his agenda. He is going to take charge of the pack if you don't stop him. A beat skipped in my heart. "Raven? However... Why would he desire authority?" Damon's eyes grew gloomy. "Because he is aware of your threat." Melissa, your power is real and not simply an act. He's scared because you're stronger than you think. You could alter everything if you could access that power. Someone like you might combine the two packs. I looked at him, not sure what to think. Do you believe I could stop him?" Damon gave a nod. "I'm sure you're capable. To reach your greatest potential, though, you must train. I can assist you. I wavered, averting my eyes. Damon, why would you want to assist me?" A tiny smile crossed his lips. "Because I think highly of you. Additionally, I don't want Raven to demolish everything we've accomplished. Melissa, we need to band together. Me and you both. My mind was racing. Damon was now volunteering his assistance, Dennis was starting to distance himself from me, and Raven was planning something. Could I put my trust in him? Before I could respond, Damon said, "Consider it. Dennis won't be able to stop Raven from moving forward if we don't take action quickly. I inhaled deeply. Okay, Damon. With you, I will train. However, I'm looking for clarification. I'll find out if you're concealing anything from me as well. Damon gave a serious glance as he nodded. "Acquire." Dennis, meanwhile, was distracted by something else as he sat in his office and stared at the documents in front of him. Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the mounting conflict with the Moonvalley Pack, his mind kept returning to me, Melissa. Why was he unable to put me out of his mind? He had turned me down and shoved me aside. It was meant to be finished. However, he couldn't control something that surged inside of him every time he saw me. Frustrated, he tightened his fists. He owed his pack an obligation. He was unable to let his emotions get in the way. Still, though... He felt the tug of the mate bond and saw my face each time he closed his eyes. To ignore the ideas, he shook his head. The future of the pack was at risk, and Raven was becoming more and more ambitious. He had no time to get sidetracked. Dennis, though, understood deep down that it wasn't that easy. He was changing because of something about me, and the relationship, and he was unsure of how to stop it. I met Damon the following evening at the edge of the training fields, out of the pack's scrutinizing gaze. As the sun sank below the trees, the sky grew darker and the air grew chilly. "Are you set? With a serious tone, Damon questioned. I nodded, unsure of what to anticipate. "Let's get going." We started with basic exercises, like learning to manage my strength, concentrate on my senses, and learn how to direct my energy. While he patiently led me through each step, Damon's eyes were constantly on the lookout, as if he was waiting for something to happen. And it did after that. Something inside of me changed during one of the exercises. I felt a raw, powerful sensation flow through my veins. The ground appeared to quake beneath me, and my hands gleamed dimly. "Whoa," I exclaimed, stammering backward. "What?" This is what?" Damon's surprised eyes grew wider. You're done, Melissa. You are awakening to your actual potential. But it must be under your control. I made an effort to steady myself, but the force was too great. It seemed like I was using my bare hands to try and stop a river. I began, "I can't—," but before I could say anything more, I heard a well-known voice behind me. "What about Melissa?" I froze, slowly turning to see Dennis staring at Damon and me from the edge of the clearing. His face was a mixture of surprise and... resentment. "Why are you in this place? He commanded, his tone acerbic. Between the electrical surge inside of me and the stress in Dennis's voice, my heart pounded. He moved a step nearer, his gaze shifting from me to Damon. "Education? With a suspicious tone, he questioned. "With him?" I bit my lip hard, not sure what to say. I could feel the tension between us, the rage simmering beneath Dennis's cool veneer. I began, "It's not what it looks like," but Dennis tensed his jaw. Do you believe I'm blind to what's going on? Dennis uttered the words in a menacingly low voice. "Damon and you..." I felt Damon move next to me, ready to answer, but I cut him off before he could say anything. My breath stuck in my throat. "Dennis, don't focus on him." This relates to me. Regarding my authority. This cannot be stopped. I could see the struggle inside Dennis, as confusion and jealousy blazed in his eyes. Before I could say anything more, there was another surge of strength coursing through me, causing the ground to tremor and my eyesight to go blurry. What was it that I was experiencing? The ground trembled under my feet as the power surged again. Dennis stared at me, his eyes wide with shock, as the tension between us thickened. What would happen now?Melissa POVThe two packs were becoming more and more tense. Even in the absence of conflict, every day seemed like a struggle. But it was Raven that was causing me trouble. I was unable to continue to ignore his tactics since they were getting more and more blatant.He was speaking to a bunch of wolves when I observed him strolling through the pack's area; his voice was believable and low. They nodded in agreement as though he—and not Dennis—was their leader, clearly ready to listen to him.Why do people want to follow him so badly? I murmured to myself as I observed from a distance."Because he poses a threat," a well-known voice replied from behind me.I looked around and saw Lucas approaching me. He looked serious, more serious than usual. He came to a stop beside me and looked over at Raven.I have been investigating him, Melissa. I believe he is connected to a negative activity. Incredibly awful.I scowled. "What are you trying to say?"Lucas gently continued, "I've been looking
Melissa POVThe air was calm and frigid in the early morning. Something was off; I had a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. There had been rumors of an impending attack for days, which had made the pack anxious. But nobody anticipated it happening so quickly.Abruptly, I heard someone shout in the distance. With my pulse pounding, I ran toward the sound. Dennis was standing close to the forest's edge, his face blanched with astonishment and his chest heaving. His arm was covered in blood, but it wasn't his."What took place? Breathlessly, I rushed to his side and asked.Dennis clenched his jaw, rage blazing in his eyes. "Raven... He attempted to kill me.My heart fell. "Are you serious?"Dennis whispered, "Serious as death," as he wiped the blood from his arm. "I got duped by one of my men. An ambush occurred. I would not be alive if I hadn't been faster.I looked around to see if there were any more warning indications. But it was silent for the moment. Far too silent."He refu
Melissa POVIt was a chilly and tense night. As Lucas and I stood in the clearing and stared forward at the dark jungle, my heart was pounding. Dennis was being held captive somewhere in Raven's fortress, and it was up to us to free him. But my mind was racing as we got ready for the task.My emotions were jumbled. My partner Dennis, the one I was meant to be with. He was extremely proud and difficult to approach. Then there was Damon, who was always there for me, encouraging and teasingly revealing emotions I wasn't sure I was ready to deal with. Lucas, too... the constant, dependable presence that, until recently, I hadn't even realized was there for me. Regarding each of them, how did I feel? I was tormented by the uncertainty."Are you prepared for this? Damon interrupted, jolting me out of my reverie.I swallowed my doubt and nodded. Indeed. Dennis has to be saved.Lucas nodded comfortingly at me from his position to my left. "We'll manage to free him. Raven won't recognize what
Melissa POVAs I stood at the edge of the meadow, there was a flurry of apprehensive murmurs mixed with excitement. Everyone in the Moonvalley Pack looked forward to the yearly mating ceremony, but I found it to be an anxious occasion. I looked around the crowd, hoping to see someone I knew or feel some comfort, but my heart was thumping in my chest.I clasped my hands together and muttered to myself, "I can't believe this day is finally here."My buddy Lily nudged me and said, "Melissa, don't look so nervous. You'll be fine." Who knows? Perhaps you'll be matched with an incredible person.I attempted a smile, but deep down, I was knotted up with apprehension. Every wolf fantasized about being selected as a mate, but what would happen if my partner rejected me? What if I was turned down by them? I was afraid of the thought.I glanced around, taking in the other aspirants, and then my gaze fell upon Storm Pack Alpha Dennis Bruce. With only his presence, he commanded attention as he sto
Melissa POVWith heavy footsteps, I made my way back to the Moonvalley Packhouse. I felt distinct from everything around me. The wind felt harsher across my skin, and the trees were taller. Every scent was more potent, every sound more distinct. My senses were more awake than they had ever been."What's going on with me? I muttered to myself, uncomfortable.I could hear the voices inside the packhouse before I even got close to the door. What should have been far-off murmurs turned into open discussions. I could even distinguish the distinct, powerful smell of each member of the group.Bewildered by the rush of feelings, I stopped at the door. Was this a result of the biting rogue? Was I evolving? I tried to relax myself by pressing my hand to my chest as my heart raced."What about Melissa? I was startled by a voice and turned to see Lily standing close by, her worried expression on her face."Are you alright? You observe... distinct," she remarked, scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes